Soccer Terminology

For a parent who wants to watch his son play soccer for the first time, or who just never understood what was going on in the past, I will try to explain some of the soccer lingo and the referee signals so that the parent can be a more informed spectator.

A brief background of soccer officiating should be helpful. In the game of soccer there are three referees. One, called the center referee, is on the field with the players and has the only whistle. The center referee basically makes all the calls. Two, called assistant referees, are on the sidelines. They are also called linesman. The two linesmen make suggestions to the center referee.

1. Free Kicks

A free kick is how the game is restarted after a foul has taken place, like a handball or a trip. The team that didn’t make the foul gets a free kick (shot) from the spot where the foul took place. The other team has to stand ten yards away from the ball until the kick is taken.

A. Direct free kick

A direct-free kick means that the attacking team can shoot the ball directly into the goal without it touching another player. The referee signals a direct free kick by blowing his whistle and then holding his arm at a ninety-degree angle to his body, pointing at the goal of the team that will be taking the kick.

B. Indirect free kick

An indirect free-kick means that the ball must touch two players (including the player who originally kicked it) before it can enter the goal. For example, a player can pass to a teammate who can then shoot it in the goal. Or a player can shoot it directly at the goal and hope that someone touches it before it goes in. The referee will signal for an indirect free kick by doing the same thing he does for a direct free kick only then holding his arm straight up in the air with his fingers together in an open fist like a traffic controller signaling “stop.” The referee will put his hand down after two players touch the ball, indicating that the ball can now enter the goal.

C. Penalty kick

A penalty kick is when one team gets a free shot with just the goalie to beat. It’s different than on direct and indirect free kicks where the opponents are allowed to stand between the shooter and the goal. A penalty kick is awarded for a team that gets fouled inside of the other teams penalty area. The penalty box is a big rectangle that surrounds the goal. The ref signals a penalty kick by signaling a direct free kick while standing on the penalty spot. (The black dot in the middle of the penalty box.)

2. Out of bounds

After the ball goes out of bounds, the game can be restarted in three different ways; corner kicks, goal kicks, and throw-ins.

A. Throw-ins

Throw-ins take place when the ball goes out on the sideline. The linesman will signal to the ref whose ball it is by holding his flag, either to his left or right, at a 45-degree angle to his body. It is the team’s ball that is attacking in the direction he is pointing.

B. Goal Kicks

A goal kick is how the game is restarted when it goes out of bounds off of the attacking team on the defending teams goal line. The referee signals a goal kick by pointing to the goal box (see diagram). Setting the ball on the ground somewhere inside the goal box and kicking it puts the ball back into play.

C. Corner Kicks

Corner kicks are what happens when the ball goes out of bound off of the defending team on the defending teams goal line. Placing the ball on the corner arc, where the sideline and end line meet (see diagram), and kicking it in restarts the game.

The referee signals a corner kick by pointing toward the corner arc.

3. Cards

Players are given yellow and red cards for serious foul play and violent conduct. Red cards are for more serious fouls like elbows to the face or kicking an opponent on purpose, while yellow cards are for less serious fouls like a careless slide tackle, an

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